Automatic alarm for gas-pipes.



No. 817,009. PATBNTED APR. 3, 1906.

A. L. SCHULTZ. v AUTOMATIG ALARM FOR 6A8 PIPES.

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PATBNTED APR. 3, 1906.

A. L. SCHULTZ, AUTOMATIC ALARM FOR GAS PIPES. nruonmx FILED xov. 1m. 1m. nnmwnn 101.11, 1906.

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mrzvrssrs UNITED STATES PATENT OF FIOE.

AUGUST L. SCHULTZ, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO JOHN H. COLLISTER, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO.

AUTOMATIC ALARM FOR GAS-PIPES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented April 3, 1906.

A li ti filed November 28,1904. Renewed November 11, 1905. Serial No. 286.913.

those skilled in the art to which my invention" pertains to make and use the some, reference eing had to the accompanying drawings, iorniing a part thereof. 7

This invention relates to a device for auto rnatically iving notice of the dangerous lowering or t e cessation of pressure in ipes, partlcularly in service-pi es for the de ivory of gas to dwellings, &c. its object is to have the mechanism controlled by the pressure and remain quiescent during the maintenance of normally safe pressures in the pipe; but when the pressure passes below the safe limit it becomes active and operates suitable signaling devices that ive notice of the fact and warn the househo der to take measures accordingly.

The invention consists of certain details of construction and combinations of arts, as will hereinafter be specifically described and claimed. 1

The accom anying drawings show this invention in steals and combinations now deemed most desirable; but changes not requiring the exercise of invention might be made therein by a skilful mechanic without departure from the spirit of m invention as set forth in the claim at the on of this specification.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a device embodying my invention in its preferred iorrn.

Fi 2 is a section of the same on the line 2 2 of ig. 3. Fig. 3 is a. plan view of the same; H

gers e, flange d, and finger f, or maybe Fig. 4 is a erspective view of a modified form of the d evice. Fig. 5 is an elevation of the same as viewed from the direction of the arrow 5 in Fig. 7. Fig. 6 is a section on the line 6 6 of Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a plan view.

In the construction illustrated by Figs. I, 2, and 3 the bod A of m alarm device is provided with a exsgonsl extension o, internally screwthreaded, as at a, for attachment to a gas pipe. The main portion of the body is recessedor chambered, as at a", and screw-threaded at its periphery of for the reception of a cap-ring B. A recessed seat a is formed on the body for the reception of a flexible diaphragm C, which closes the chamber e and is clamped on its seat hi the capring B, the latter being provided with polygonal sides I), preferably octa onal, or engage 'ment by a wrench.

V The iaphragm, which may be made of thin sheet metal or rubber or other yielding or pi e su stance, is delie'stely yielding and when relieved from pressure stands normally in the position shown by diptted lines lIfl Fig. 2 ;hbut when subjected to t epressureo asint epipes it iss run outwardly to the p osition shown by lfill lines and there remains during the continuance of the pressure to which it is adapted. At the center of the diaphragm is secured a studin D, adapted to move freely with thecdiapllr and havin just below. its end an amiss; flange 03. ecured to the face of the'cap-ring Bis aspring contact-fin er e, which bears upon the end of the in D, and also another contact- 7 finger e the rec end of which lies normall below but in the path of the flange (1 on the pin. At the opposite side of the cap-rm are secured two othcrcontaot-fingers f and insulated from the ring and standing with theirfree ends one below the projecting end of thespringe and the other below the flange d of the pin. Now these respective pairs of fingers e e and f f are connected by the wires 9 g of an electric circuit, included inwhich isa battery and callbell, or from anyother desired form of annunciator. When the device is in service and the parts in position shown in full lines in Fig. 2, the diaphragm being held up by the gas=pressure, the electrical connection is broken and no current goes through the circult; but when the pressure ceases andthe diaphra m falls to the position shown bi dotted lines the circuit is closed throng either the fingers e and f or through the fin threaded nipp e h at one end and a flange 32."

at the other. In the lower end of the body is formed a chamber h, from which a bore h extends through to the top of the body. Around the entrance to this bore a raised seat h is formed in the chamber. A valve I fits in this bore and has ahead or flange 1', adapted to bear upon the seat If. This valve is preferably composed of a thin metallic tube i, with the head 'i pressed upon one end and a cap 91 upon its other end, which projects out of. the body, as shown. For the pur ose of securing lightness I prefer to make t e valve parts of aluminium and to make them as thin as may be found practicable. Below the valve in the chamber h there is secured a perforated partition or screen J, and above or inside of this a flexible diaphragm K, preferably made of thin rubber or the like, and held at its edges b two clamping rings I: k, pressed into p ace. When the gasressure is on,it asses through the screen an pushes the rub er up against the lower end of the valve and the valve against its seat, as shown in Fig. 6. The cap 1' of the valve has a central point or projection i and an annular flange t. On the top of the body are secured a pair of spring contact-fingers Z and l, with their free endsextending one above and across the cap and the other below the flange of the ca The wire m connects these fingers in one si e of an electric circuit containing a battery and an alarmhell or indicator. Other spring contact-fingers n n are also secured to the top of the body, but insulated from it, as shown. One of these fingers n lies under and in the path of the finger I, while the other lies below the flange z" of the cap. Now if the pressure in the pi e fails and the valve sinks the fin gers I an n will first contact to close the circuit, and then the flange 'i on the valve-cap will contact with fingers Z and 11/, making an additional closure or path for the electric current. As a still further precaution I may em loy the additional spring-fingers 0 0, attac ed to the body of the valve and bearing with their free ends upon the top of the valvecap flan e. These not only serve as conductors of t ac current to the valve-cap, but they also act as guides to steady that portion of the valve projecting from the bore in body.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and useful, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

In an automatic alarm for gas-pipes the combination of a base adapted to be screwed onto a service-pipe, a chamber within said base with access thereto from the pipe, a

flexible diaphragm across said chamber, a

member adapted to be moved by said diaphra m, a flange on said member, an electricafspring contact-fin er with its free end bearing upon and over ianging the end of said member and another fin er electrically connected with the first and havin its free end beneath and in the path of the flange on said member, with another pair of spring contact-fingers electrically connected to each other but insulated from the base, 850., the free end of one lying below but in the path of the first finger herein mentioned while the free end of the other lies below but in the path of the flange on the diaphragm member, all of said contact being connected in an electric circuit and adapted when the diaphra m and its member move to make several independent closures of the said electric circuit, substantially as and for the purpose hereinbeforeset forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

AUGUST L. SCHULTZ. Witnesses:

WM. A. SKINKLE, S. C. BLAKE. 

